Bhadohi Woman's Husband and In-Laws Face Charges for Alleged Killing of Unborn Children in Dowry Dispute
In a shocking case from Bhadohi, Uttar Pradesh, a woman's husband and two in-laws have been formally charged by police for allegedly causing the deaths of her unborn children on two separate occasions. The accusations stem from brutal assaults inflicted upon the pregnant woman due to ongoing dowry demands, according to authorities who disclosed the details on Sunday.
Case Registered at Gopiganj Police Station
The legal action was initiated at the Gopiganj police station based on a written complaint submitted by the victim, identified as Aradhana Shukla. She presented her grievance during a 'Jan Sunvai' public hearing program held on Saturday. The accused individuals named in the case are her husband Abhinesh Shukla, her mother-in-law Geeta Devi, and her brother-in-law Pradeep Shukla.
Police have invoked multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the trio, including Section 91 for acts intended to prevent a child from being born alive or causing its death after birth, Section 85 for cruelty by husband or relatives, Section 351(3) for criminal intimidation, and Section 115(2) for voluntarily causing hurt. Additionally, provisions of the Dowry Prohibition Act have been applied in this case.
Background of the Marriage and Dowry Demands
Superintendent of Police Abhinav Tyagi provided context to the distressing situation. Aradhana Shukla, a resident of Gudripur under the Gopiganj police jurisdiction, entered into marriage with Abhinesh Shukla from Bhanupur Siyarha village on May 21, 2022. Despite receiving what was described as substantial dowry at the time of their wedding, the accused family members allegedly persisted in demanding an additional Rs 10 lakh from Aradhana.
When this financial demand remained unfulfilled, the harassment against Aradhana reportedly intensified. The officer stated that the accused subjected her to constant mental and physical torment as pressure tactics for the dowry payment.
First Pregnancy and Tragic Outcome
According to the detailed complaint, during Aradhana's first pregnancy when she was eight months along, her husband Abhinesh repeatedly kicked her in the abdominal area. As her health deteriorated following this assault, she was sent back to her maternal home. She required hospitalization soon after, where medical examinations confirmed the tragic death of her unborn child in the womb.
Following intervention by relatives, Abhinesh later took Aradhana to Delhi where his mother and elder brother reside, attempting what appeared to be a reconciliation.
Second Pregnancy and Repeated Violence
The nightmare continued during Aradhana's second pregnancy. On September 20, 2025, Abhinesh allegedly assaulted her once again over the same dowry demands. At this time, Aradhana was approximately two months pregnant and suffered another brutal kick to her abdomen, as confirmed by SP Tyagi.
Despite her worsening physical condition, Abhinesh brought her back to Bhadohi from Delhi on the same day. The violence escalated further on September 21, 2025, when Abhinesh brutally attacked Aradhana at a secluded spot near Gyanpur Road railway station. After leaving his blood-soaked wife behind, he fled the scene while threatening that if she returned without the demanded Rs 10 lakh, she would be burned to death.
Aradhana managed to contact her family members who immediately took her to a hospital. Tragically, she suffered a second miscarriage as a result of this violent assault.
Previous Attempts to Seek Justice
SP Tyagi revealed that Aradhana had previously attempted to file a First Information Report at both the Mahila Police Station and Gopiganj Police Station in January of this year. However, no substantive action was taken at that time regarding her complaints.
The current case has now been formally registered, and police have launched a search operation to locate and apprehend the three accused individuals who remain at large. The investigation continues as authorities work to gather additional evidence and witness testimonies in this disturbing case of alleged dowry-related violence resulting in the loss of unborn children.
